MeghanSiobhan

Thought I'd throw my update out there: UPenn CAMB/Cancer - waiting Pitt IBGP/Cell and Molecular Pathology - Interview March 3 Tufts Sackler/Biomedical - waiting UChicago Biomedical/Cancer - waiting OHSU Cancer Bio - Rejected UW (Seattle) MCB - waiting UCSD Biomedical - waiting UCI Biomedical Gateway Cell and Molecular - Interview Jan 26 (got this offer even before they sent out their "hey, we're reviewing apps" email lol) Temple - not even due till Feb 15 lol (thinking they won't have interviews? that's why it's at the bottom) Emailed UPenn, Chicago and UW to see if they're done sending invites. I'll update with that when/if I know.

Do you guys have any advice on tailoring SOP's to specific schools? I'm definitely mentioning a few faculty I'd like to work with and why... what kind of other things should be included do you think?

Last time(s) I didn't apply to Biomedical (I finally figured out what I want to research, so that's new), but I applied to UW, UCSC, UCSD, UCI... you know what, it was so long ago, I blocked most of them out haha. I might have reached too far. First time around, I got interviews at UCSC and UCSD, but was denied after the interviews. Previous letters were from my PI and 2 professors I took classes with. I think I've gotten a general consensus that was my weak point. This time around I have my current PI (doing much better in this lab than previous lab), my program advisor/coordinator person with whom I took a stem cell lab/class, and a professor I TA'd for for a year.

If you're into Genomics, you might want to consider UCSC. Not as top-tier as what you have listed, but David Haussler and Josh Stuart are really big in genomics and bioinformatics. Plus, we have the Human Genome Browser and Cancer Genome Browser here. I work in David Haussler's lab and i swear, all anyone wants to do is sequencing and genomics

Applied before (2x) didn't get in. Any advice appreciated!! Undergrad Institution: UCSC (CA- UC)Major(s): Molecular, Cell and Dev BioMinor(s): GPA in Major: 3.37Overall GPA: 3.31Position in Class: probably average to high lowerType of Student: domestic female Masters Institution: SJSU (CA- CSU)Major(s): Molecular and Microbiology, CIRM Bridges ProgramMinor(s): GPA in Major: 3.92Overall GPA: 3.92Position in Class: probably high-ish? GRE Scores (revised/old version):Q: 160/ 78%V: 159/ 81%W: 3.5/ 48%B: (guessing this is subject) took in 2011, expired, not going to retakeResearch Experience: Basic molecular bio/yeast in Undergrad (2 years- publication); Stem cell, CRISPR/Cas9, neurodiff, RNAseq research in Masters (probably publish, but not before apps due- will be about 2 years by the time i move on to Ph.D.) Awards/Honors/Recognitions:Pertinent Activities or Jobs: intro bio lab TA, poster presentations this yearAny Miscellaneous Accomplishments that Might Help:Special Bonus Points: Getting an MS degree currently, David Haussler is my PI/rec letter (if you don't know, he pioneered the Human Genome Browser, Cancer Genome Browser), currently funded by CA Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)Any Other Info That Shows Up On Your App and Might Matter:Applying to Where: Uni's w/ Medical Schools (in order of current preference) UPenn- CAMB/Cancer Bio UPitt- IBGP/Cell and Molecular Pathology Tufts- Biomedical/Cell, Molecular Dev/Cancer Bio U Chicago- Biomedical/ Cancer Bio U Washington- Cell and Molecular/Cancer Bio OHSU (Oregon Health and Science)- PMCB/Cancer Bio Temple- Biomedical/Cancer Bio and Genetics UCSD- Biomedical UCI- Biomedical/Cell and Molecular/ Cancer (if you can't tell, I want to research cancer- mostly novel therapeutics)